LAPD seeks help finding killer of Good Samaritan who protected child

Gabriel Ortega, 57, was inside a McDonald's June 18, his birthday, when he saw another man yelling at a small child

By Melissa Pamer and Courtney Friel
KTLA 5

LOS ANGELES — Homicide investigators planned to release a composite sketch and were seeking surveillance video of a man who fatally attacked a good Samaritan who had prevented a child from potentially being harmed at a Hollywood McDonald’s, police said Friday.

Gabriel Ortega, 57, was inside the fast-food restaurant in the 1400 block of Vine Street (map) about 9:30 p.m. June 18, his birthday, when he saw another man yelling at a small child. Sensing the child was about to be attacked, Ortega acted as a shield and blocked the father from getting at the young boy.

“Mr. Ortega stood in front of the child and told the individual to leave the child alone,” LAPD Detective Steven Katz said. “When he did this, the individual punched Mr. Ortega in the face and fled on foot.”